STATE 00120556 001.2 OF 002
1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of traveling to Chad and recommends that American
citizens avoid all travel to eastern Chad and the
Chad/Central African Republic border area. This Warning
is due to insecurity caused by recently increased levels
of violent criminality, the continuing risk of clashes
between Chadian government and rebel forces, and current
political tension between Chad and Sudan. The U.S.
Embassy in Chad has prohibited official government travel
to eastern Chad without express authorization. American
citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts
should review security precautions and consider measures
to mitigate exposure to violent crime. American citizens
residing in Chad should exercise extreme caution
throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Chad dated June 02, 2008 to remind U.S. citizens of
continuing security concerns in Chad.
2. Violent crime in eastern Chad has escalated in recent
weeks, including robbery and carjacking at gunpoint,
kidnapping and attempted kidnapping, and murder. The
level of violence in each incident has increased
significantly; robbery victims have been beaten and
killed. In addition, armed rebel groups continue to be a
threat to the region. Criminal and rebel activity tends
to increase during the dry season, which lasts from late
September to July.
3. The overall security situation remains fluid and
potentially dangerous. Violent criminal gangs are
difficult to interdict, despite the presence of a United
Nations Peacekeeping Operation in the region. The
government of Chad is unable to guarantee the safety of
visitors in eastern Chad. If rebels approach the
capital, N'djamena, the U.S. Embassy may decide to
evacuate non-emergency personnel and family members of
Embassy personnel on short notice, as was done in June
2008. Family members of Embassy personnel under the age
of 21 are not authorized to reside in Chad. Commercial
flights continue to operate from N'Djamena International
Airport, but flights are subject to change when rebel
activity intensifies.
4. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief
efforts in eastern Chad are strongly urged to closely
review the policies and procedures of their organizations
to mitigate risks from violent crime. All should
coordinate travel plans with their UN partner agency
security officers in Abch and N'Djamena, and follow UN
Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) guidance
regarding safety and security. The government of Chad
requires all individuals traveling to or residing in
refugee-affected areas in eastern Chad to obtain permits
issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in
N'Djamena, and to register in Abch upon arrival in
eastern Chad. American citizens who intend to enter
Sudan from Chad, despite the Department's Travel Warnings
for both countries, must obtain the appropriate visas and
permits in advance of entry into Sudan. Further
information is available in the Department's Travel
Warning for Sudan.
5. The U.S. Embassy is not able to support evacuation
from eastern Chad. All Americans affiliated with
humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad must have an
evacuation plan developed with the United Nations
mission, which has aircraft and other logistical
support. The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S.
citizens in Chad be prepared to implement their personal
evacuation or safe haven plans on short notice should the
situation warrant, and exercise extreme caution.
Americans in Chad should closely monitor news media and
the U.S. Embassy's website. The embassy webpage is
http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov/
STATE 00120556 002.2 OF 002
6. American citizens traveling to or resident in Chad
should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a
registration form online and provide contact information
and specific travel data if traveling outside the
capital. Registration enables the Embassy to contact
American citizens in case of emergency and provide
updates on the security situation. The U.S. Embassy is
located in N'Djamena on Avenue Felix Ebou; mailing
address B.P. 413, telephone (including after hours
emergencies): (235) 251-70-09; alternate numbers 251-62-
11, 251-90-52, 251-92-33, 251-77-59, 251-92-18; fax (235)
251-56-54. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information
on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-
free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further
information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Chad and the Worldwide Caution, which are
available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
website at http://travel.state.gov.
7. Minimize considered.
CLINTON

Raw content

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 120556
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC, PTER, ASEC, CD
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: CHAD
STATE 00120556 001.2 OF 002
1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of traveling to Chad and recommends that American
citizens avoid all travel to eastern Chad and the
Chad/Central African Republic border area. This Warning
is due to insecurity caused by recently increased levels
of violent criminality, the continuing risk of clashes
between Chadian government and rebel forces, and current
political tension between Chad and Sudan. The U.S.
Embassy in Chad has prohibited official government travel
to eastern Chad without express authorization. American
citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts
should review security precautions and consider measures
to mitigate exposure to violent crime. American citizens
residing in Chad should exercise extreme caution
throughout the country. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Chad dated June 02, 2008 to remind U.S. citizens of
continuing security concerns in Chad.
2. Violent crime in eastern Chad has escalated in recent
weeks, including robbery and carjacking at gunpoint,
kidnapping and attempted kidnapping, and murder. The
level of violence in each incident has increased
significantly; robbery victims have been beaten and
killed. In addition, armed rebel groups continue to be a
threat to the region. Criminal and rebel activity tends
to increase during the dry season, which lasts from late
September to July.
3. The overall security situation remains fluid and
potentially dangerous. Violent criminal gangs are
difficult to interdict, despite the presence of a United
Nations Peacekeeping Operation in the region. The
government of Chad is unable to guarantee the safety of
visitors in eastern Chad. If rebels approach the
capital, N'djamena, the U.S. Embassy may decide to
evacuate non-emergency personnel and family members of
Embassy personnel on short notice, as was done in June
2008. Family members of Embassy personnel under the age
of 21 are not authorized to reside in Chad. Commercial
flights continue to operate from N'Djamena International
Airport, but flights are subject to change when rebel
activity intensifies.
4. U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief
efforts in eastern Chad are strongly urged to closely
review the policies and procedures of their organizations
to mitigate risks from violent crime. All should
coordinate travel plans with their UN partner agency
security officers in Abch and N'Djamena, and follow UN
Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) guidance
regarding safety and security. The government of Chad
requires all individuals traveling to or residing in
refugee-affected areas in eastern Chad to obtain permits
issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration in
N'Djamena, and to register in Abch upon arrival in
eastern Chad. American citizens who intend to enter
Sudan from Chad, despite the Department's Travel Warnings
for both countries, must obtain the appropriate visas and
permits in advance of entry into Sudan. Further
information is available in the Department's Travel
Warning for Sudan.
5. The U.S. Embassy is not able to support evacuation
from eastern Chad. All Americans affiliated with
humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad must have an
evacuation plan developed with the United Nations
mission, which has aircraft and other logistical
support. The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S.
citizens in Chad be prepared to implement their personal
evacuation or safe haven plans on short notice should the
situation warrant, and exercise extreme caution.
Americans in Chad should closely monitor news media and
the U.S. Embassy's website. The embassy webpage is
http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov/
STATE 00120556 002.2 OF 002
6. American citizens traveling to or resident in Chad
should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a
registration form online and provide contact information
and specific travel data if traveling outside the
capital. Registration enables the Embassy to contact
American citizens in case of emergency and provide
updates on the security situation. The U.S. Embassy is
located in N'Djamena on Avenue Felix Ebou; mailing
address B.P. 413, telephone (including after hours
emergencies): (235) 251-70-09; alternate numbers 251-62-
11, 251-90-52, 251-92-33, 251-77-59, 251-92-18; fax (235)
251-56-54. Travelers may obtain up-to-date information
on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-
free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further
information, please consult the Country Specific
Information for Chad and the Worldwide Caution, which are
available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
website at http://travel.state.gov.
7. Minimize considered.
CLINTON